The mansion was silent eerily so. Jason Moretti stood before the long mahogany dining table, head slightly bowed, heart pounding like a drum inside his chest. Thirteen men sat around the table. All wore black suits. All carried guns tucked in holsters. And all had one thing in common, they wanted him gone. At the far end sat Don Luciano Moretti, Jasons father. The king of the New York mafia. Greying hair slicked back. Gold rings on every finger. The devil in an Armani suit. You embarrassed this family,his father said coldly. Jason clenched his fists but said nothing. You were given one job,Luciano continued, his voice calm, deadly. End Sal Perez. You hesitated. You let him walk. Jasons jaw tightened. He had his kid with him. I wasnt going to kill a man in front of his five-year-old daughter. The room stirred. Murmurs. Disgusted glances. One of the uncles spit on the floor. Youre not a Moretti. Youre a coward. Jason turned to face them all. No. Im a human being. You all just f

Valentina Russo didnt sleep that night.Not because of fear, but because of possibility.Jason Moretti, the Ghost, had stormed into her life like a hurricane with a ledger full of secrets and eyes that burned hotter than any threat shed ever faced. And for the first time in years, she wasnt just part of someone elses plan.She was standing on the edge of one of her own.The folder hed given her was now hidden beneath her bed, unread by anyone else. Not even her most trusted guards knew it existed.Because if her father found out…Shed be dead before the wedding veil ever touched her head.Downtown – The VaultJason stood in front of a glowing screen, eyes scanning a 3D model of the Russo estate. Mila leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, chewing gum.So, let me get this straight,she said. Youre trying to steal a Russo heiress from under her fathers nose, crash a billion-dollar mafia alliance, and take over New Yorks underworld… all in one month?Jason smirked. Two weeks.Mila whistl

Morning sunlightfiltered through the tall windows of the penthouse safehouse. Jason stood shirtless in the kitchen, flipping through surveillance footage on his tablet while sipping black coffee. His back bore old scars, some from beatings, others from nights the streets didnt spare him.Valentina leaned against the doorway, watching him.You dont sleep much,she said.Jason didnt look up. I cant afford to.She walked in, tying her silk robe. You kissed me last night.You kissed me back.Valentina smirked. I didnt say I regretted it.Jason finally looked at her. His voice dropped to something quiet, almost afraid to be hopeful.I dont regret it either.She sat at the counter. So now what? We pretend we didnt feel it, or we let it get in the way?Jason turned off the tablet. We use it. Let them believe its real.Valentinas expression sobered. And if it becomes real?Jason said nothing.But his silence spoke more than words ever could.Elsewhere – Moretti MansionLuciano Moretti paced hi

The church was chosen without consent.St. Dominics Cathedral, centuries old, controlled by the Vatican, neutral grounds among the Five Families. It was where mafia legends were made and enemies disguised themselves in tuxedos.And now, it would host the wedding of a man who shouldve stayed dead… and the woman sent to betray him.Jason stood in front of the mirror in a penthouse fitting room, adjusting the collar of his suit jacket. Tailored black velvet. Subtle armor beneath.Mila entered, tablet in hand.Theyve invited the heads of every major family,she said. Russo, Moretti, Cortez, Escarra, even two foreign cartels. And get this, theyve hired a private Vatican bishop to officiate.Jason didnt flinch. Giovanni and Luciano are trying to turn the wedding into a statement.Yeah, Mila muttered, a bloody one.Jason turned to her. What about Vin?Her expression soured. Gone dark. All our surveillance, off. He wiped everything.Jasons eyes narrowed. Then hes in on it.Confirmed,Mila said.

Two Days Later – 3:00 a.m. – Manhattan Pier 19A storm was brewing.Lightning crackled over the harbor as six black SUVsrolled toward a shipment yard at the edge of the city. No witnesses. No patrol. Only shadows and secrets.Inside the lead vehicle, Jason loaded his weapon in silence. Valentina sat beside him, her hair pulled back, eyes hard. She wore all black, no more silk, no more pearls.Just war.Remember the plan, Jason said. In and out. Were not here to make a mess. Were here to make a statement.Valentina loaded her pistol. One Giovanni wont forget.Inside the Dock WarehouseMen worked in silence, unaware of the strike team approaching.They were loading crates onto unmarked trucks, crates filled with stolen military-grade weapons, cash, and forged passports.Suddenly—Flash grenades.Gunfire.Shouting.Jasons crew moved like shadows. No one saw them coming.Valentina darted through the chaos, found the control room, and inserted Milas hacking chip into the main terminal. Lig